Course overview

Sociology explores the social worlds in which humans live. It examines how these worlds have come about, their striking features and their possible futures. Sociology encourages us to look beneath the surface of what we most take for granted about life and gives us new ways of making sense of human existence.

Study sociology and you will learn new and exciting information about how humans live. But more than this, you will gain understanding and insight into why people live, work and interact in the ways they do.

This degree is designed to provide you with a firm grounding in the fundamentals of sociology and a stimulating and challenging exposure to a diversity of specialist areas, which reflect changing emphases and developments within sociology. You will gain solid foundations in core elements of sociology, but this course is also designed to allow you to develop your knowledge of specialist interests such as crime and deviance, gender relations, race and racism and social theory.

Sociology encourages you to become an independent and creative thinker, with important critical and analytical skills to challenge 'common sense' assumptions. You can also enhance practical skills relevant to the various vocational paths that lead out from this subject.

In the recent Research Assessment Exercise, many of our Social Science academics were highly rated for their research work, and colleagues work collaboratively on a number of projects as well as participating in the Justice and Communities Research Unit and the Cultures of Digital Economies Research Centre.

Assessment

Assessment is via a mix of examination, essays, class tests, individual and group presentations, book reviews, portfolio and dissertation.

Special Features

Special Features include:

• Student visits to courts and prisons.
• Islamophobia Conference.
• Opportunity to undertake research working alongside Peterborough Environment City Trust.
• Social Science Society with guest lectures and trips.
• Opportunity to join in debates run by Anglia Ruskin University Graduate Society.
• The opportunity to spend a semester at Umeå University in Sweden, and the University of New Brunswick, Canada adds a fresh perspective to your studies.

Associated careers

The intellectual disciplines delivered in this course are valued by employers in a wide range of sectors. The media and the Civil Service have traditionally been two of the major employers of sociology graduates, but the range of fields graduates are now entering includes financial services, human resource management, education and general business management. The ability to specialise in Years 2 and 3 gives you the opportunity to fine-tune your degree to suit a favoured career.

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Entry requirements

200 UCAS tariff points.
A levels required; 2 A levels in related subjects
BTEC/Access required; A BTEC National or 30 credits Merit at Access Certificate in a related subject.
GCSEs required; 3 GCSEs at grade C or above in English, Maths and Science.

Please note AS levels are acceptable only when combined with other qualifications.

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

• International students
• EU students
• English language requirements